The Bright Flower That Attracts Hummingbirds All Summer And Into Fall (It's Not Salvia)

Your flower garden just isn't complete without pollinators. While you may think most blooms will attract hummingbirds, not every plant is considered equal. Because of the way they feed, these little birds need flowers with easily accessible nectar. Most species of salvia are a safe bet if you're looking to bring in these charming creatures. However, sometimes they are a little difficult to care for or get to bloom, and depending on what species you choose, they may not flower during the right seasons. If you're looking to ensure you have food for your hummingbirds far into fall, you need something like the Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis).

This flower is the only species in its genus. You will often find it in blue or lavender, but there are varieties in pink, white, or yellow as well. The plant pops out of the ground in May and starts blooming shortly after. It can continue to flower until September – if you deadhead regularly — for important late-season nutrients hummingbirds need. It also means they are a perennial that blooms more than once for a colorful garden year-round. The plant can reach up to a foot in height, with each flower measuring around 2 inches in diameter. 

Stokes' aster is bright blue and sure to attract hummingbirds, but they aren't the only pollinator to enjoy them. Butterflies and bees love these blooms as well. Despite that, it's somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits.

These flowers enjoy full sun and moist, well-draining soil. However, they can handle partial shade and drought. They are naturally found in the U.S., so if you're in their native area, you can grow these wildflowers without much work on your part. You can treat them as annuals, but in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, they can be a perennial that produces beautiful blooms every year. It can even be an evergreen in the warmer part of its range. They are found everywhere in the southeastern United States, from North Carolina down to Florida and even Alabama. Because they're native to North America, they will slowly spread if given the chance. You can plant them once and see where they appear next spring, or you can divide them up every few years and give them away to family and friends.

While it may not be as popular as vivid reds or cheery yellows, blue is a beautiful color to have in the garden, especially if you pair it with magentas or lime-colored foliage. They take about a year to really get established, but once they do, they are one of those plants that thrive in your garden. Stokes' aster grows alongside other flora like ornamental grasses and scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma). Combining multiple species of beautiful flowers is one of the smart ways to draw more hummingbirds into your yard or garden, after all.